Why California Electricity Costs Have More Than Doubled: Energy Columnist

“We are, in California, bearing this tremendous burden financially, to model good climate behavior. And it doesn’t do anything,” said Susan Shelley.

The AES Corp. Huntington Beach power plant produces energy for southern California in in Newport Beach, Calif., in May 9, 2002. David McNew/Getty Images

California boasts some of the highest utility rates nationwide, with recent statistics revealing Golden State residents pay more than twice the national average.

As of July, the average national electricity rate is 17 cents per kilowatt hour, while in California, residents are paying 28 cents in Los Angeles, 35 cents in San Francisco, and 48 cents in San Diego, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.